The Gospel by Ox Cart

For most people, it was an average day in rural Cambodia, yet panic filled the heart of a boy named Somat.

Two days ago, his mother had cut her foot badly; it was getting worse. Infection was spreading, and without help, her situation would become dire. In an attempt to find some relief for his mother, Somat loaded her on to the back of an ox cart and sought help.

Somat was a young believer who knew BMA Missionaries John and Louela Page. Knowing they would be of some help to his suffering mother, he found them and humbly asked for some money so he could take his mother to a doctor. 

John and Louela saw the worsening state of the foot and had compassion on Somat and his mother. They showed the love of Christ to this family, and during that time, not only did Somat’s mother find physical healing, but she also found spiritual healing. 

After her salvation and once the foot had healed, she began taking that same ox cart village by village, spreading the gospel and telling her friends about the hope she had found in Jesus Christ. Soon enough, Somat’s entire family became strong believers on mission for the Lord.

Today, Somat works alongside John and Louela in ministry, teaching at the school and giving guitar lessons to students in their village, called the In Village. Recently, the In Village has begun to trust him so greatly as to let him teach their preschool. 

This past year, John Page noticed that Somat had saved up his money to buy a large pig. After asking him why he did this, Somat explained that he planned to save the pig until Christmas, when he could butcher it and have a celebration at Christmastime in the village. John explained that this allowed legal evangelism! Somat planned to present the gospel to his fellow villagers during the Christmas season, hoping that some would be saved as a result. 

“Somat is always thinking about what he can do for the church,” said John Page. “He is in his twenties, but he has really grown. We started out discipling eight boys, and now three are really serving. We work to invest in those who will invest, but you don’t really know who that will end up being. Every person is important, so you love them all and show them Jesus.”

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As John referenced, a large part of the ministry in Cambodia is working to disciple and invest in young men who will be able to lead the church in the future. Since the last update about the Page’s ministry (read here), John and Louela are beginning to see their investments come to fruition. 

They work to invest in students in the city of Banlung, as well as their own In Village. In both places, they have seen an increase in students and in the level of discipleship.

“Since we last talked, we have increased the capacity for students at Banlung,” said John. “Now, there’s about 16 students there. When they stay, it allows them to go to school, and it also allows us to disciple and equip them.”

A man named Bro. Yoseph, a pastor that the Pages discipled, now runs the center for students at Banlung. Along with teaching students how to play musical instruments, Bro. Yoseph equips them to reach their villages for the Lord. 

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Overall in the ministry to Cambodia, the Pages say that the youth have excelled greatly.

“They’re the ones who know their national language,” said John. “We have a few adults, about 12, who attend the In Village church, but we have about 70-80 youth and children. On Wednesday, the youth even teach their own lesson.”

John explained that, early on, they have taught the Cambodian people that, if you’re doing something, have someone with you. Always be training someone else. Always have a partner and invest in their lives. 

“This concept has been very positive for us in this ministry,” concluded John.

Would you pray for John, Louela, and their daughter Gracia as they continue to raise up leaders in Cambodia? Also, pray for them as they will soon welcome a fourth member in to the Page family.